(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/Maxiphoto)
Several leading mobile operators announced the formation of an LTE-Broadcast Alliance at TV Connect 2016 in London. The alliance aims to expand global support for LTE-B services across device manufacturers to improve user experience and enable broader deployment of broadcast-capable mobile services.
LTE-B, also known as eMBMS (evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service), allows operators to send a single data stream to all users within a coverage area instead of individual streams to each user. This approach lowers network traffic and helps maintain a smooth experience for consumers, particularly during events or in locations with high demand.
The operators forming the LTE-Broadcast Alliance represent markets including the UK (EE), North America (Verizon), Australia (Telstra), and South Korea (kt). A primary objective is to drive device support so that top- and mid-tier handsets launched in 2017 will include LTE-Broadcast capability.
We are looking forward to working with some of the world’s leading players in this space to ensure the technology is adopted globally
Each member operator has been an early mover in LTE-B services within its country. Verizon has extended support for the standard across its nationwide 4G network in North America. In South Korea, kt was the first operator worldwide to launch a commercial LTE-B service in January 2014, initially covering seven baseball stadiums and key subway lines in Seoul and Busan.
Parissa Pandkhou, Director of Product Development at Verizon, commented: “Since 2012, Verizon has been dedicated to LTE-B, and in 2015 achieved commercial availability across our entire 4G LTE network. The LTE-B Alliance will help establish and expand the benefits of the service to other technology segments, increase device penetration, and unearth even more use cases for eMBMS.”
Trials have taken place in the other member countries as well. In the UK, EE trialed LTE-B at the 2015 FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium in partnership with the BBC, delivering HD broadcasts with multiple camera angles and replays to mobile devices inside the venue. In Australia, Telstra executed the world’s first stadium broadcast using LTE-B in January 2014.
Mike Wright, Group Managing Director, Networks, for Telstra, said: “We have already seen some of the benefits of LTE-B to both mobile operators and customers, so we are looking forward to working with some of the world’s leading players in this space to ensure the technology is adopted globally, which is essential for continuing to deliver a high quality video experience for our customers.”
LTE-B has a wide range of potential applications, including:
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Delivering push notifications at scale, such as over-the-air device updates, weather alerts, public safety messages, enterprise group communications, and multimedia marketing content.
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Powering digital signage by enabling media owners to update content dynamically and target messages more effectively across locations.
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Serving as a connectivity platform for massive IoT deployments, with the ability to communicate simultaneously to large numbers of devices.
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Complementing 5G networks by providing multicast capabilities that leverage high bandwidth and low latency to deliver value-added services to many devices at once.
Matt Stagg, Head of Video Strategy at EE, explained: “Initially we focused our LTE-B efforts on the benefits for live and linear video, and we will launch a live service in 2017. Now, as part of the LTE-B Alliance, we’ll be focused on developing use cases for critical communications services, Internet of Things, and a 5G future. The Alliance will provide awareness of the importance of this technology, and ensure that the benefits can be realised as soon as possible.”
How important do you think LTE-B will become? Share your thoughts in the comments.